The Baltimore Ravens went from Super Bowl XLVII champions to not even making the playoffs in the 2013 season, finishing joint-second in the AFC North with an 8-8 record.
It was the first time the franchise had missed out on the post-season since 2006, which was an extremely disappointing way to follow up their successful 2012 season.
Sports Mole looks back at their 2013 campaign.
Pre-season expectations
Following the Super Bowl win, legendary linebacker Ray Lewis retired from playing football, meaning that his name wasn't on the Ravens roster for the first time since the team was formed in 1996. As well as losing Lewis, Ed Reed departed for the Houston Texans, while wideout Anquan Boldin joined the San Francisco 49ers. Quarterback Joe Flacco was expected to step up in the absence of some key leaders in the locker room, though Elvis Dumervil arrived from the Denver Broncos to offer support in that department. Jim Caldwell was also looking forward to his first full season as offensive coordinator. Despite a hefty amount of changes, many experts still expected them to reach at least wildcard weekend.
Highlight of the season
Having surrendered a 17-point half-time lead to divisional rivals the Cincinnati Bengals, the Ravens required an overtime kick from Justin Tucker to win them their week 10 contest. Dallas Clark and Torrey Smith had both caught touchdown passes from Flacco before the break, but the Bengals responded with Gio Bernard and AJ Green scoring for them. It was the only time during the season that they beat a team which made the playoffs, and it put them at 4-5 to renew faint hopes of their own progression.
Biggest disappointment
Without a doubt, Ray Rice. Having rushed for over 1,100 yards in each of the past five seasons, big things were expected of fantasy stud Rice once more. He recorded his lowest figures since his 2008 rookie season, with just 660 yards on the ground and four touchdowns. His average carry of 3.1 yards was a career low, while his 44 yards per game average was some way off of his previous four years. Injuries did play a small part in Rice's campaign, however he was able to start 15 of their 16 matches. Ultimately, it was the team's running game which let them down, with poor decision-making and blocking both hugely contributing factors. The Ravens ended the year in 30th place in the league, in terms of rushing yards.
Player of the season
In the absence of Lewis, Terrell Suggs stepped up to become the real leader on defense. The 2011 NFL Defensive Player of the Year was a Pro Bowl selection for the sixth time in his career after another solid year in which he led the team with 10 sacks. Suggs recorded 80 combined tackles and he was recently rewarded with a new contract for his efforts.
Unsung hero
As a collective, the Ravens offense was largely disappointing, but one player who did manage to have a strong season was wide receiver Torrey Smith. With tight end Dennis Pitta injured and Rice and Bernard Pierce struggling to run the football, Smith became an important target for Flacco to look for. Although he scored just four touchdowns, the field-stretching wideout had 17.4 yards per carry as he totalled 1,128 yards on the year.
Off-season changes
John Harbaugh has stated that the team's rushing game needs a total overhaul, while Smith himself admitted that it would be nice to have some help from some new ball catchers. So it is clear that changes on offense can be expected and are the priority, whether it be through the Draft or via free agency. Caldwell has left the franchise to become head coach of the Detroit Lions, while Gary Kubiak is a key addition as offensive coordinator. University of Wisconsin assistant head coach Thomas Hammock has been appointed as the team's new running backs coach, in a bid to improve the performance of Rice.
2014 prospects
With ex-Houston Texans boss Kubiak on board, this is quite an exciting time for a Ravens unit which really underperformed last year. With some key roster additions, Harbaugh will feel that his team has every chance of putting 2013 behind them and reaching the post-season. The Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers will once again provide tough competition in the AFC North, but they have enough quality players to win matches. Rice will be keen to prove that his career isn't on the wane after his poor year, while Flacco is in the same boat after signing a mega-contract with the franchise following their Super Bowl win.
